Notes

Cytosponge-TFF3 Testing may Detect Precancerous Mucosal Alterations in the Stomach.
04; 95% CI 0.56-1.95; P=0.891, I2=0%]. There were similarly no statistically significant differences in RLN palsy rates for multiple- and single-level ACDF when patients were stratified based on length of follow-up of less than or greater than 12 months.

This analysis suggests that there is no statistically significant association between the number of ACDF operative levels and the risk of short- or long-term RLN palsy.
This analysis suggests that there is no statistically significant association between the number of ACDF operative levels and the risk of short- or long-term RLN palsy.
During lumbar spinal fusion, spacer cages are implanted to provide vertebral stability, restore sagittal alignment, and maintain disc and foraminal height. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is commonly used by most spine surgeons. Silicon nitride (Si
N
) is a less well-known alternative although it was first used as a spacer in lumbar fusion over 30 years ago. The present study was designed to see if Si
N
cages would perform similarly to PEEK in a randomized controlled trial.

A non-inferiority multicenter 100-patient study was designed where both the observer and patient were blinded. Single- or double-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation using an oblique PEEK or Si
N
cage was performed. The primary non-inferiority outcome was the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Secondary measures included the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for back and leg pain, SF-36 Physical and Mental Function indices, patient and surgeon Likert scor a revised clinically justified non-inferiority margin; and using this method, the non-inferiority of Si
N
was affirmed.

This study demonstrated that the use of either PEEK or Si
N
cages is safe and effective for patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion for chronic degenerative disc disease.
This study demonstrated that the use of either PEEK or Si3N4 cages is safe and effective for patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion for chronic degenerative disc disease.
The increase in newly diagnosed patients with cancer in South Africa and globally, may contribute to the increase in patients living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy negatively impacts on quality of life (QoL) during and post chemotherapy treatment. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/filgotinib.html Physiotherapy management of CIPN helps patients to manage symptoms and improves function in activity- and participation-levels to ultimately improve QoL. However, little evidence exists regarding the type or combination of physiotherapy management strategies in South Africa.

The purpose of our study was to determine how the symptoms of CIPN were managed by physiotherapists in Pretoria, South Africa.

A quantitative, descriptive study design was used. Electronic questionnaires were distributed to physiotherapists who worked with cancer patients and who treated patients with CIPN.

Physiotherapists used massage, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, sensory integration, activities of daily opathy; intervention; management; cancer.
physiotherapy; chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; intervention; management; cancer.
Stroke is one of the major causes of physical disability worldwide. Whilst physiotherapy interventions are important for the recovery of stroke survivors, the uptake remains inconsistent and factors contributing to these inconsistencies are not well documented, especially in South Africa.

The overall objective was to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with adult stroke survivors' inconsistent uptake of physiotherapy interventions at Turton Community Health Centre, Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

This was a cross-sectional study involving 50 stroke survivors who missed one or more of their physiotherapy appointments and 25 who attended all their appointments (comparison group) within a 2-year period. A researcher-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which was captured and analysed using SPSS v25. Results were summarised using descriptive statistics. Pearson's chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis.

Only two intrinsic factors were significantly associated with the outcome variable, namely believed in exercises recommended by physiotherapists (χ
= 3.86,
= 0.049) and improvements noted from the start of recommended exercises (χ
= 9.439,
= 0.007). Transportation, including hiring of private cars (74%) and being far away from the health facility (48%), were key extrinsic challenges affecting access to health facilities.

Personal reasons and the difficulty in accessing health facilities were main factors affecting stroke survivors' uptake of physiotherapy interventions.

Design of patient-tracking and family support systems may potentially improve the stroke survivors' uptake of physiotherapy interventions.
Design of patient-tracking and family support systems may potentially improve the stroke survivors' uptake of physiotherapy interventions.
Stroke affects upper trunk postural stability and upper limb function in approximately 85% of stroke survivors. Upper trunk postural stability is essential for functioning of the upper limb and is a prerequisite for hand function. The rehabilitation of the upper limb and upper trunk post-stroke remains a challenge because of poor recovery of motor and sensory function.

To determine the effect of Biodex© upper limb weight-bearing training on upper trunk postural stability in patients post-stroke.

A longitudinal randomised control pilot trial with single blinding was undertaken to assess postural stability on the Biodex© at baseline and 1-month post-baseline. In addition to standard rehabilitative care, upper limb weight-bearing training on the Biodex© was added for participants in the experimental group. Descriptive data analysis and the Mann-Whitney test for group comparisons were done using STATA (
< 0.05).

Fifteen participants took part, seven in the control and eight in the experimental group,mprove upper trunk postural stability in patients post-stroke. The addition of Biodex© training to standard rehabilitative care for retraining and exercising upper trunk postural control in a weight-bearing position does not lead to better outcomes than standard care.
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